Best Bluetooth Headphones and Earbuds for Outdoor Activities of 2025
The Top Wireless Earbuds and Headphones for Running, Biking, and Hiking
To find the best wireless headphones, we tested bluetooth earbuds on thousands of miles of trails and routes off-trail. We tested in mountains, desert, forests, and everything in between in rain and extreme heat. After comparing the top models, here are the best headphones for outdoor people.
Published February 18th, 2025
As fitness and outdoor enthusiasts, we need wireless headphones that can withstand sweat, rain, and rough treatment while allowing us to remain safely aware of the environment around us.
We researched and tested wireless earbuds and headphones based on criteria important to outdoors people—features like waterproofness, battery life, ruggedness in a range of scenarios, and the quality of sound.
After five years of extensive testing by a diverse set of testers, we've found the best wireless earbuds for running and working out (and swimming and the outdoors). From hiking in the rain to running desert trails to biking and working out, here are our top winners for best wireless and open ear headphones.
Types of Wireless Headphones
Open Ear Headphones
An open ear Bluetooth headphone does not cover the ear, thus allowing excellent situational awareness. Shokz has been a leader in bone conduction headphones that are durable, comfortable, and have great features. Bose also provides an open ear headphone that has excellent music quality.
True Wireless Earbuds
We reviewed true wireless headphones (earbuds without wires) that allow for better situational awareness and are durable enough for outdoor endurance sports. Truly wireless earphones do not provide the same level of situational awareness as “open ear” headphones, but they are a good option for better sound quality and longer battery life.
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Headphone Comparison Tables
Compare headphones by MSRP, Type, Pros and Cons
| MODEL | TREELINE AWARD | MSRP* | TYPE | WHAT WE LIKED | WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shokz OpenRun | Best Overall Read why |
$130 | Open Ear | Situational awareness; Waterproof; Rugged; Very comfortable for long duration activities. | Sound quality not as good as earbuds or Bose Open Ear; Battery life. |
| Shokz OpenMove | Best Budget Read why |
$80 | Open Ear | Sound quality; Waterproof; Rugged | Band is not as comfortable as Aeropex; battery life. |
| Shokz OpenFit Air | Best Open Ear Read why |
$120 | Truly Wireless | Sound quality; Low profile; cool Waterproof/dustproof case; Transparence mode. | No wireless charging; touch controls can be tricky; doesn't work for all shaped ears |
| Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Canceling | $179 | Truly Wireless | Sound quality; Features; Apple ecosystem. | Not as secure in the ear | |
| Apple AirPods Gen 3 | $149 | Truly Wireless | Sound quality; Features; Apple ecosystem. | Not as secure in the ear |
* Prices reflect MSRP at time of publishing and are subject to change. See our Deals Page for discounts and sales on products that win our awards.
Compare headphones by Playtime
| MODEL | TREELINE AWARD | INDEPENDENT EARBUD USE? | EARBUD/ HEADPHONE PLAYTIME2 | PLAYTIME WITH CHARGING CASE | TOTAL PLAYTIME (one bud at time) | EARBUD/ HEADPHONE IPXX RATING1 | CHARGING CASE IPXX RATING1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shokz OpenRun | Best Overall Read why |
NA | 8 hours | N/A | NA | IP67 | N/A |
| Shokz OpenMove | Budget Budget Read why |
NA | 6 hours | N/A | N/A | IP55 | N/A |
| Shokz OpenFit Air | Best Open Ear Read why |
Yes | 8 hours | 24 hours | N/A | IP67 | IP67 |
*Weight is both earbuds or headphone. The charging case weight is not included.
**Use of active noise cancellation and/or transparency modes will reduce battery life.
Compare by Waterproofing and Charging Specs
| MODEL | TREELINE AWARD | WARRANTY | WEIGHT1 (oz) | WEIGHT CHARGING CASE1 (oz) | CHARGING SYSTEM | CHARGE TIME | FAST CHARGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shokz OpenRun | Best Overall Read why |
2 years | 0.90 | N/A | Magnetic Induction Cable | 1.5 hours | 10 min = 1.5hr |
| Shokz OpenMove | Budget Budget Read why |
2 years | 1.00 | N/A | USB-C | 2 hours | N/A |
| Shokz OpenFit Air | Best Open Ear Read why |
2 year | 0.30 | 1.90 | USB-C | 2 hours | 5 min = 1 hour |
IPXX rating refers to the intrusion (first number) and moisture protection (second number) rating of a product. Read more about IPXX ratings here.
The Best Headphones and Earbuds for Outdoor Activities
The Best Overall Headphones: Shokz Openrun
Type: Open Ear
Warranty: 2 years
Playtime with charging case: N/A
What we liked: Situational awareness; Waterproof; Rugged; Very comfortable for long duration activities.
What we didn’t like: Sound quality not as good as earbuds or Bose Open Ear; Battery life.
After years of testing, the Shokz OpenRun is the best headphones for outdoor activities. They are comfortable (even when used for hours), are waterproof, dustproof, very durable, have good battery life, and allow for excellent situational awareness.
Treeline Review has recommended Shokz bone-conducting headphones as the best option to maintain situational awareness for several years now. Treeline writers and editors have used Shokz headphones on numerous thru-hikes, including the Pacific Crest Trail, Arizona Trail, Blue Mountain Trail, and Oregon Desert Trail.
Shokz headphones work differently than traditional earphones, utilizing situational awareness technology. The allows you to hear what is going on around you in addition to your music or podcast.
Situational awareness is essential for outdoor fitness activities like running, cycling, or hiking. In addition, some states are banning or limiting headphones that cover the ears while cycling. Situational awareness headphones don't cover the ears, so may be permissible in some areas (check with your local lawyers on this as we aren't experts).
Compare Prices Of The Aftershokz Openrun
Treeline editor Liz Thomas wearing the Shokz on a bike touring trip. The Shokz wrap around the head securely but don’t have any components that go inside of the ear making it a true open ear design.
Openrun advantages
Excellent Situational Awareness
OpenRun headphones do not block your ear. You can hear subtle noises in the environment. In our experience, an open ear headphone is better at staying alert to your surroundings than simply wearing one earbud or using earbuds that have a “transparency” feature to allow in external noises. We get more into how the technology works below.
Fit And Comfort
Shokz OpenRun fit snugly and securely around your ear; they remain in place during vigorous activities. We find the OpenRun more comfortable than earbuds over hours of continuous use. The OpenRun has a full titanium band that is light and flexible. It does not interfere with eyeglasses, hats, or bike helmets. The Shokz OpenRun comes in two sizes. For those with smaller heads, the OpenRun Mini has a ½ inch shorter band.
Durability
The OpenRun Bluetooth headphones are water- and dust-proof (IP67). The OpenRun has the highest level of dust protection, rated to protect against complete water immersion up to 3’ deep for 30 minutes (note: you can’t swim with OpenRun, but you could kayak or paddleboard with them). There is a moisture detection system to ensure safe charging. The titanium band is flexible but rugged.Sound Quality
Open ear headphones do not have the sound quality of higher-end earbuds (like our true wireless headphone winners). But the sound quality isn’t the most crucial factor for outdoor fitness headphones. We think situational awareness, durability, and comfort are more important. That said, Shokz OpenRun headphones sound surprisingly good. The OpenRun use Shokz’s 8th generation bone conduction headphone technology for louder volume and deeper bass.OPENRUN FEATURES
Music and Phone Controls
The multifunction button on the left side of the headphone controls music (play, pause, skip, back), manages phone calls (answer, end, reject, redial), and prompts your device’s digital assistant. The multifunction button is easy to use, even if you wear a stocking cap over the headphones.Multipoint Pairing
Multipoint pairing allows the OpenRun to be paired with two devices at once, such as an iPhone and a laptop, allowing users to transition seamlessly between either device.Moisture Detection Alert When Charging
The OpenRun headphones can detect liquid (water, sweat, etc.) when charging. If the headphones are plugged in while wet, the LED indicator will flash red and blue while beeping and vibrating. If this occurs, unplug and dry the headphones before you proceed with charging.Phone Calls and Connectivity to Other Devices
The OpenRun sound quality and microphone also work well for making and receiving phone calls. They have a dual noise-canceling microphone. We know several folks who use Aftershotz as their work headphones for calls and teleconferences.EQ (Equalizer) Settings
All Shokz Bluetooth-enabled models come with two EQ settings: “Standard” (regular use) and “Earplug” (for use when earplugs are inserted for improved sound quality).Open Ear/Bone Conduction Technology
The technology Shokz uses has been around since the 1970s and has been used for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. The sound quality is not as good as a pair of quality earbuds, but the sound is fine for sports headphones. I have shared my Shokz headphones with skeptical family and friends on numerous occasions. All have been amazed by the sound quality (many have purchased a pair for themselves).
The following are some common questions about bone-conducting headphones:
Can Others Hear Your Music Playing On The Shokz ?
No. The user is the only person that can hear music or other sound playing on the Shokz headphones.
Can You Feel The Bone-Conducting Vibration ?
You may feel a slight vibration the first time or two you wear Shokz headphones, especially when played at high volume or music with high bass; however, we no longer notice the vibration after some use.
Can You Damage Your Hearing With Bone Conducting Headphones ?
According to the Salus University Pennsylvania Ear Institute, “While they (bone-conducting headphones) have safety and design advantages over traditional headphones, bone-conduction headphones can still damage hearing when music or sound is played at high volumes.”
Best Budget Open Ear Headphones: Shokz Openmove
Type: Open Ear
Warranty: 2 years
Playtime with charging case: N/A
What we liked: Sound quality; Waterproof; Rugged
What we didn’t like: Band is not as comfortable as Open Run; battery life.
The Shokz OpenMove, at half the price of our overall winner, the Shokz OpenRun, is a great option to try bone-conducting headphones. The OpenMove headphones have most of the features of OpenRun, including:
Exceptional situational awareness;
Rugged durability;
Good sound quality (The OpenMove has a third EQ setting, Vocal Boost, which is not available on the OpenRun. Vocal Boost enhances the listening experience of podcasts and audiobooks); and
Dual noise-canceling microphone for clear phone calls.
Compare Prices Of The Aftershokz Openmove
| FEATURE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shokz OpenRun | Shokz OpenMove | |
| Cost | $130 | $80 |
| Battery Life | 8 hours | 6 hours |
| IPXX Rating | IP67 | IP55 |
| Weight (ounces) | 0.90 | 1.00 |
Openmove And Openrun Headphone Differences
There are several critical differences between OpenMove and OpenRun to consider:
Less Battery Life
The OpenRun has 8 hours of battery life versus 6 hours for the OpenMove.Less Water/Dust Resistance
The OpenMove headphones are rated IP55; OpenRun is IP67. You can read more about IPXX ratings here. But, the difference is that the OpenMove is rated to partially protect against dust and partially protect against low-pressure water jets. In contrast, the OpenRun has the highest level of dust protection, rated to protect against complete water immersion up to 3’ deep for 30 minutes (note: you can’t swim with OpenRun, but you could kayak or paddleboard with them).
In addition, OpenMove does not have moisture detection when charging, but OpenRun does.
Titanium Frame
The OpenRun has a full wrap-around titanium frame; the OpenMove only has a partial titanium frame. The OpenMove frame is less flexible and not quite as comfortable for extended wear.Best Open-ear Headphones: Shokz OpenFit
Type: Open Ear
Warranty: 2 years
Playtime with charging case: N/A
What we liked: Excellent situational awareness, great sound quality, comfortable fit, long battery life, multipoint pairing
What we didn’t like: Tricky touch controls, no wireless charging, some have issues with ear hook fit
Like with all Shokz headphones, the ability to easily maintain situational awareness is a standout feature of the OpenFit earbuds. You can listen to your music or podcast in excellent sound quality while staying alert to your surroundings. With a long battery life and other features, the Shokz OpenFit are our favorite open-ear headphones.
Compare prices of the Shokz OpenFit
Fit and Comfort
The OpenFit has a dolphin arc ear hook design that weighs 8.3 grams per silicon earbud. They stay put during a vigorous hike or run, and fit comfortably while wearing a bike helmet.
However, some people have reported issues with this fit, saying that they do not stay on their ears as well. We did not have this issue, but since enough people have, it is worth trying some on for yourself before purchasing if possible.
Durability
With an IP54 rating, these headphones are dustproof and hold up against water splashes. They are not as waterproof as our overall winner, the Shokz OpenRun, which is fully waterproof with an AP67 rating. However, the OpenFit will still work just fine in the rain.
Sound Quality
One area where the OpenFit does shine above the OpenRun, though, is in sound quality. Overall, the bass is more clear and the overall sound quality is richer with the OpenFit than the OpenRun.
Features
The earbuds of the OpenFit have touch control for music playback, answering and ending calls, and accessing a voice assistant. The controls are tricky to use, we found, and there isn’t a large multifunction button like with the OpenRun or OpenRun Pro. Rather, you tap the earbuds, which can take some practice. Luckily, gloves and winter hats do not prevent you from using the controls.
A feature we appreciate is the multipoint pairing, which allows you to switch between devices, such as a phone and a laptop. This is enabled in the Shokz app, which itself offers other helpful features.
Conclusion
For hikers, runners, or cyclists who value both excellent sound quality and situational awareness, the Shokz OpenFit is a great choice. The long battery life, useful features, and comfortable dolphin arc-fit make this a good option for hiking, running, cycling, and really just about any outdoor activity we can think of. You can learn more in our in-depth Shokz OpenFit Headphones Review.
The contenders
Airpods Pro 2Nd Gen
Type: Truly Wireless
Warranty: 1 year
Playtime with charging case: 30 hours
What we liked: Sound quality; Versitility (noise cancellation/transparency mode); Features; Apple ecosystem.
What we didn’t like: Cost; Not waterproof.
Apple AirPods are probably the most popular wireless earbuds on the market. They’re great lifestyle earbuds; however, they aren’t the best option for vigorous outdoor activities. Water/sweat resistance and proofing are our primary (but not only) concern in sports earbuds. That said, noise cancellation is the distinguishing feature of the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen.
The Pros have silicone tips that allow the buds to fit snugly in the ear and block outside noise. These noise-canceling tips help the buds stay in place better than earlier generations of AirPods. For example, the Generation 3 AirPods lacks silicone tips for passive noise cancellation and doesn't have an active noise cancellation feature, either. In contrast, the new AirPods Pros are noise cancelling earbuds with a transparency mode that, when engaged, allows the user to hear outside noise.
We think AirPods Pros would be great for use in good weather conditions, but we cannot recommend them for hiking and other vigorous outdoor activities without better waterproofing.
View the Airpods Pro 2Nd Gen
Type: Truly Wireless
Warranty: 2 years
Playtime with charging case: 30 hours
What we liked: Sound quality; Features; Apple ecosystem.
What we didn’t like: Situational awareness; Not waterproof.
Like the Airpods Pro, the Gen 3 model is probably one the most popular wireless earbuds on the market as a lifestyle piece; however, they aren’t the best option for vigorous outdoor activities. The AirPods Gen 3 has better battery life and is more water-resistant (earbuds and case) than the Pro 2. However, the Gen 3 lacks active noise cancellation and, more importantly, transparency mode. Situational awareness is critical when hiking, cycling, or running. The AirPods Gen 3 is not well-suited for good situational awareness. Both the AirPod Gen 3 and Pro models can be used “one earbud at a time”-this is fine for podcasts or audiobooks but is not a good option for listening to music.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE APPLE AIRPODS GEN 3
Type: Truly Wireless
Warranty: 2 years
Playtime with charging case: 24 hours
What we liked: Sound quality; Versatility (noise cancellation/HearThrough mode); Wireless charging.
Jabra makes excellent earbuds. The Jabra Elite Active 65T was previously a winner for our top true wireless earbud. Since then, there are options with better battery life, water-resistance, and durability. It uses Micro-USB, which is becoming less common and is heavier than other options out there.
Still, we're keeping the Jabra Elite Active 65T in the story because you can get it often at a steep discount.
View the Jabra Elite Active 65T
FEATURES
Fit
The Jabra’s have a low profile, secure, and comfortable fit. We found them very comfortable over hours of continuous use.
Durability
The Jabra Elite Active 65T earbuds are dust and waterproof (IP56). However, despite the waterproof earbuds, the charging case is not IPXX rated. Lack of waterproofing is a concern for outdoor endurance activities in wet and dirty conditions.
Battery Life
The Jabra earbuds have excellent battery life, up to 5 hours and a total of up to 15 hours of use (no ANC/HearThrough). Unfortunately, you can only use the right earbud individually, meaning you can’t double the earbuds’ battery life by using one at a time.
Sound
The Jabra Elite right earbud can be used individually, but unfortunately, the left earbud can only be used with the right earbud.
The Jabra app allows you to select a sound profile from “smooth” to “bass boost” or customize a sound profile. You can use the app to customize your voice on calls, so you will not need to speak louder to hear yourself on calls.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The Jabra Elite Active has ANC, a feature not available on the Klipsch 5T II, our top true wireless pick. Active Noise Cancellation removes background noise. ANC is an excellent feature for workout headphones to dull ambient noise at the gym but isn’t suitable for outdoor activities where situational awareness is critical.
HearThrough (Situational Awareness)
Jabra provides a HearThrough feature that uses four microphones to pick up outside sounds and play them in your ears.
The right earbud can be used alone for mono playback to improve situational awareness. This is useful for running headphones to hear approaching cars or for hikers to hear snakes.
Type: Truly Wireless
Warranty: 1 year
Playtime with charging case: 32 hours
What we liked: Price, durability, battery life
What we didn’t like: Sound quality, some fit issues, can fall out of ears
The JBL Vibe Beam is a water and dust resistant truly wireless earbud that our writer Sam Schild tested while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. While the sound quality isn't stellar, it is decent for the price, especially if most of your listening is podcasts and audiobooks. The JBL Vibe impressed us by not breaking when other earbuds we tested stop working (especially true for budget options but also true for more expensive models). They're a decent option if you don't want to spend a lot of money.
View the JBL Vibe Beam
Should I Carry Wireless Headphones or Earbuds on a Thru-Hike?
Most thru-hikers carry inexpensive wired headphones (like the Apple earbuds that come with your iPhone) to help pass the occasional monotony of walking all day. I had always assumed that wireless earbuds were not appropriate for a thru-hike because they require power, are exposed to months of dust and sweat, and are too sound isolating.
My views have changed after using several brands of wireless earbuds on the Arizona Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. The new generation of fitness earbuds are designed to withstand the elements of a thru-hike much better than inexpensive, wired earbuds.
Modern wireless earbuds have long battery life. They can be easily charged from the portable battery packs that most thru-hikers carry. Plus, it’s nice not to have a wire connecting the earbuds to my phone that gets tangled every time I remove my pack.
The OpenFit (white and center) and the OpenRun Pro (red and on the outside). Photo by Mike Unger.
Buying advice
It is essential to distinguish wireless fitness earbuds from other headphones you would use for listening at work or home. Sound quality and noise isolation are the essential features of work or home use. However, situational awareness, durability, comfort, and fit are more important characteristics of sports headphones and earbuds for outdoor activities like running, hiking, or cycling.
Situational Awareness
Situational awareness is critical for outdoor activities; cyclists and runners need to hear approaching vehicles! It’s equally crucial for hiking and trail running to hear an approaching mountain bike or warning from a rattlesnake.
Our “open ear” picks offer the best situational awareness. However, our earbud picks offer a “transparency” mode to let in outside noises.
Fit
Workout earbuds must not only be comfortable, but they must remain in place during strenuous workouts. Everyone has different ears, and therefore, will have a different fit. However, some earbuds excel at fitting most people. Even if an earbud fits well for office use, it may have a reputation for falling out of ears when using them as a running headphone.
All of our earbuds picks come with different-sized ear tips. Take the time to find the right fit. In addition, it’s common to use a different size for each ear.
The author wearing a pair of Shokz earbuds on a thru-hike of the Arizona Trail. Outdoors people who will be taking their headphones into rain or dusty and dirty areas need to be aware of the IPXX rating on their earbuds more than people using their earbuds at the office or at home.
IPXX rating
IP (ingress rating) ratings are an international standard used to define the sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures from foreign bodies (dirt/dust) and moisture like rain or sweat. The workout headphones and earbuds reviewed all have received an IPXX rating.
Dirt/dust intrusion rating (first digit)
0/X. Not rated. No special protection.
1. Protection from solid objects greater than 50mm in diameter.
2. Protection from objects greater than 12mm in diameter.
3. Protection from objects 2.5mm in diameter.
4. Protection from objects 1mm in diameter.
5. Partial protection from dust.
6. Completely dust-tight.
Moisture protection (second digit)
0/X. No protection
1. Protection from droplets such as condensation.
2. Protection from droplets deflected up to 15 degrees from vertical.
3. Protected against spray up from 60 degrees from vertical.
4. Protected from water splashes from all directions for 10 minutes.
5. Protection against low-pressure jets from any angle.
6. Protection against direct high-pressure jets.
7. Protection against full immersion for up to 30 minutes in up to 1 meter of water.
8. Protection against extended immersion in greater than 1 meter.
Battery life
Battery life is an essential factor to consider for wireless earbuds. Nothing is more frustrating than having earbuds die mid-hike or run. Quick charge capability is also essential.
About the Author / Why You Should Trust Us
Mike Unger is a double Triple Crowner — he has hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail twice.
In addition, he has backpacked numerous other on-trail and off-trail routes, including the Pacific Northwest Trail, Blue Mountains Trail, Great Divide Trail, Colorado Trail, Arizona Trail, John Muir Trail, Ouachita Trail, Oregon Desert Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, and Mogollon Rim Trail.
He’s tested different headphones and earbuds on his many thru-hikes, watching for things like battery life, durability, and ability to survive dirt, rain, and sweat in different climates and weather. He also considers how different headphones allow for situational awareness in the real world–from approaching cars, to bears and rattle snakes, to mountain bikers, horses, and other users.
Mike Unger is not, nor has he ever been, a sponsored athlete, ambassador, or influencer for an outdoor company.
You can read all of Mike's articles on his author page.
